Building construction assembling and positioning apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for making structural building units from a pair of spaced panels and interconnecting elongated plates, employing plate insertion means cammed into plate gripping condition during powered advancement thereof between panel retention means for insertion of the plates into the panels. The plate insertion means has elongated clamp elements forced together on the plates. The leading end of the plate insertion means preferably has broach means to cut slots into the panels ahead of the advancing plates.

United States Patent 1 1 Kay 1541 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ASSEMBLING AND POSITIONING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Charles Kay, 7056 Thornapple River Drive, SE, Caledonia, Mich. 49316 22 Filed: March 18, 1971 [21] Appl. N0.: 125,707

521 Us on ..29/200 P 51 Int. Cl. ..B23p 19/00 [58] Field of Search..29/200 P, 200 A, 200 R, 200 B,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Kay .29/200 A x 1 Feb. 6, 1973 Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager Attorney-Price, Heeveld, Huizenga 8; Cooper 5 7 ABSTRACT Apparatus for making structural building units-from a pair of spaced panels and interconnecting elongated plates, employing plate insertion means cammed into plate gripping condition during powered advancement thereof between panel retention means for insertion of the plates into the panels. The plate insertion means has elongated clamp elements forced together on the plates.

The leading end of the plate insertion means preferably has broach means to cut slots into the panels ahead of the advancing plates.

10 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB 6 I973 3,714,696

SHEET 10F 5 luv/m I NVENTOR.

arrazusfs CHARLES KAY PATENTEDFEB 5 ms 3.714.696 sum snr 5 INVENTOR. M44255 (4% W @W f BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ASSEMB LING AND POSITIONING APPARATUS RELATED APPLICATION This application relates to application Ser. No. 800,620 filed Feb. 19, 1969, now U. S. Pat. No. 3,574,253, granted Apr. 13, 1971, and entitled Construction Unit Assembly and Apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for making structural building units, and more particularly to assembling apparatus for inserting binderplates into and between spaced panels.

In the above identified patent application are disclosed a method and an apparatus for inserting connector plates into and between slabs or panels to form structural building units. The specific embodiment of the apparatus disclosed therein is very useful, particularly for inserting relatively short plates into board size slabs.

The broad concept embodied in such disclosed in-- vention has now been applied to large panels, e.g., 4 by 8 feet using long metal connector plates, e.g., up to about 8 feet long. Assembly of these relatively large components has been found to involve special stresses and problems. Consequently an improved assembling apparatus was sought for application of the broad concept to assembly of such components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide unique apparatus for forming structural building units from panels of substantial size, e.g., 4 by 8 feet, and elongated connector plates, e.g., several feet in length. The edges of the plates are forced into the spaced panels for a substantial length. The plates are progressively gripped along their length whilebeing advanced, with each portion being gripped as it is about to enter between and into the spaced panels. The advancing plate grippers are specially cammed into gripping relationship on the plate.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved apparatus of this type wherein the slots are cut into the spaced panels without the necessity of added power saw mechanism. Rather, special broach means is attached to the. lead end of the plate-inserting grippers, to be advanced ahead of the plate in preparation therefor.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the third zone of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional elevational view taken on plane IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the middle'stage of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the upper portion of the plate gripper apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the discharge end of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of an auxiliary portion of the mechanism at the discharge end of the novel apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the apparatus in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the plate insertion means, showing the gripper broach means;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the broach means; and

FIG. 13 is an end elevational view of the broach means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now specifically to the drawings, the apparatus 10 there illustrated is depicted as formed of three separate cooperative stages or zones 12, 14 and 16. For ease of illustration and understanding, these three zones are shown separated from each other,,but

.actually these three zones are abutted and inter-connected with each other to be integrally functional. A common framework support structure 18 interconnects all of them, and includes for example a pair of elongated stringers 20 adjacent the floor, interconnected with transverse plates 22 and a plurality of upright studs 24. Studs 24 are interconnected to a pair of elongated upper stringers 26. This framework is illustrative only, and can be substituted by any of a variety of equivalent support structures.

In zone 12 is mounted the main portion of an elongated fluid cylinder 30 several feet in length. It is fixedly mounted on suitable pads 32 for example. Its piston rod is secured to the adjacent end of a special plate-inserting tongue mechanism 36 in adjacent zone 14. This unit 36 is also several feet in length with the Another object of this invention is to provide ap- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the three zones of the novel apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view of the apparatus in FIG. I, viewed from the far end as depicted;

one end noted being supported by the extended piston rod of cylinder 30 and the opposite end being supported by rollers (to be described) relative to upright yoke 38 on the end of zone 14 adjacent zonel6. Insertion unit 36, under-the actuation of elongated cylinder 30 can be extended into and retracted out of the third zone 16. v

This third zone 16 includes a plurality of components which retain a pair of structural panels, usually wood. These components cooperate with insertion member 36 to uniquely space the panels and cause them to be interconnected by a plurality of elongated connector plates, usually metal. It will be realized that FIG. 1 depicts these three specific zones in somewhat simplified form to enable the nature of the apparatus to be more readily comprehended. The details of the zones are depicted further in the additional figures. Interconnection of the piston rod 50 of cylinder 30 with insertion unit plate 64 (see also FIGS. 4 and 5). Connected to plate 64 is a pair of U-shaped elements 66 which form side tracks 68 for rollers 70 rotatably mounted on the opposite inner walls of yoke 38.

Cooperative with the respective clamp elements 64a and 64b is a pair of shiftable clamping bars 70a and 70b. The end of clamping bar 70a closest the ram plate 60 is tied to the clamp element 64:: by a collar 72a having sufficient play to allow vertical movement between the elements. The opposite end of clamp bar 70a is not connected to element 64a but rather includes a pair of tracks 76a on its opposite lateral sides which cooperate with rollers 78a mounted to yoke 38. Tracks 76a are specially configurated so that, at full retraction of element 36 from zone 16, the end of clamp bar 70a opposite plate 60 will be raised away from clamp plate 64a for reasons to be explained more fully hereinafter, while in the remaining positions of element 36 and clamp bar 70a, it will be allowed to lower and rest against clamp plate 64a.

Similarly, on the under side of the unit, clamp ba'r 70b is cooperative with clamp bar 64b. Again, the end of clamp bar 70b closest ram plate 60 is tied or connected to the adjacent end of clamp 64!; by a collar 72b. This collar has sufficient play in this connection to allow the adjacent ends of this clamp mechanism to move toward and apart from each other. The opposite end of clamp bar 70b also includes a roller 78b mounted on yoke 38 and positioned in tracks 76b of clamp bar 70!). Thus, at full retraction of element 36 from zone 16, this track 7612 is configurated to allow clamp bar 70b to drop away from clampplate 64b, but in other positions of the mechanism, it is shifted up toward clamp plate 64b. Between clamp elements 64a and 70a and attached for example to element 64a is a stop 76a for exact positioning of an elongated connector plate of the type to be inserted into the panels according to this invention. A similar stop 76b is attached to element 64b and 70b. Thus, the rear end of the elongated connected plates can be abutted against the stops when inserted between the respective clamp elements 64a and 70a, and 64b and 70b. Such metal connector plates then would extend from a position adjacent these stops 76a and 76b to a position adjacent yoke 38. The plates would be between special gripper inserts 80a and 80b which are recessed in the respective clamp elements 64a and 70a, and 64b and 70b respectively. These grippers are serrated, or alternatively knurled or the like, to have a rough gripping surface to securely grip portions of the opposite surfaces of the metal connector plates when the clamp elements are forced together in a manner to be described hereinafter. The lateral position of these connector plates C (FIG. 5) between the clamp elements is achieved by placing one edge thereof against a pair of elongated stop elements 84a and 84b fixedly mounted to uprights 24 of zone 14 of the apparatus.

The structural units formed from this invention are basically composed of large individual panels interconnected by elongated plates. The panels are usually of wood, and preferably of standard four foot by eight foot dimensions. A pair of these panels is interconnected by elongated connector plates several feet in length and preferably almost as long as the 8 foot dimension of the 4' X8 panel. Each metal plate in cross section includes a main body portion and a pair of flanges at an angle, preferably a right angle, to the body portion.

The insertion unit 36 is cooperative with zone 16 of the apparatus for inserting these connector plates. More specifically, zone 16 is where the actual interconnection of the flanged connector plates C and the pair of spaced panels P occurs. The panels P are specially controlled and positioned in zone 16. This is done by cooperation of insertion member 36 with panel retention means in zone 16. This retention means includes, mounted adjacent one lateral side of the zone 16, fixedly to uprights 24, a rigid, vertical retention plate (FIG. 2) secured by spacing rigid studs 92. On the opposite lateral side of the zone is a shiftable vertical retention plate 94. This is laterally shiftable away from retention plate 90 by a plurality of fluid cylinders 96 mounted to the framework, and specifically to uprights 24. Their piston rods are attached to plate 94. Although the number and position of these cylinders 96 may be varied, it has been found advisable to have several such cylinders arranged in a balanced pattern relative to retention plate 94 for optimum control of the panel under the tremendous stresses applied during this operation. A plurality of compression coil springs 98 bias plate 94 toward plate 90. During operation, springs 98 push retention plate 94 toward retention plate 90 an amount sufficient to cause the space therebetween to be less than the space required by the thickness of both panels P and the width of the plate insertion member 36, so that member 36 must force the panels apart during insertion, causing an exact spacing relationship to be obtained and maintained. Of course, panels P are loaded into zone 16 prior to advancement of member or unit 36 into this zone. These panels are loaded from the discharge end through a special gate mechanism. Specifically, referring to FIGS. 3 and 8, at the discharge end of the mechanism is an openablecloseable gate subassembly 100. One lateral side of this gate subassembly is pivotally mounted on pinions 102 to one side of the framework of zone 16 to enable it to be swung between the closed position (solid lines) and the open position (phantom lines) depicted in FIG. 8. The gate can be maintained in closed position by inserting locking pins 104 throughmating collars on one side of the gate and frame. Secured to the inner face of the gate is a spaced stop plate 106 against which the vertical downstream edges of panels P abut when they are in the unit. These panels are preferably supported on their lower surfaces by rollers 110 (FIG. 2) to allow easy insertion of the panels and easy removal of the combined structural unit formed by the invention. As can be envisioned, stop plate 106 and gate subassembly withstand the stress applied to panels P when insertion unit 36 forces metal plates C into the. panels in the manner to be described.

During the operation involved, the flanged edges of connector plates C are forced into panels P substantially the entire length of the panels and plates, to cause the edges of the connector plates to be embedded in the panels as illustrated in FIG. 2. Hence it is essential that plates C be very securely gripped to prevent any slipping thereof in the clamp means during this operation. This is particularly crucial toward the end of the insertion stroke where the stresses tending to resist further movement of the long plates into the long panels become extremely high. An important feature of the apparatus is the provision of special camming means to force the clamp elements into extremely effective gripping action on opposite surfaces of the connector plates C during the insertion step. This is done by forcing clamp element 70a downwardly toward clamp element 64a, and clamp element 70b upwardly toward clamp element 64b, in balanced action during insertion. To enable the balanced action to occur, the members 64, 64a and 64b are purposely allowed to float slightly relative to the framework, by allowing sufficient clearance between rollers 70 and tracks 68 to enable this. Clamp members 70a and 70b are forced toward their respective clamping elements and basically toward each other by causing the outer surfaces thereof to engage tapered fixed camming surfaces 110a and 11% respectively. These are elongated surfaces which extend substantially the length of zone 16 and taper convergently toward each other at the receiving end of zone 16. Clamp members 70a and 70b may include lubrication channels 71 (FIG. 11) on their surfaces that abut camming surfaces 1 a and 10b.

These cam surfaces are mounted on fixed supports 112a and l12b respectively. Supports 112a are secured to rigid upper transverse frame elements 25 while members 112b are secured to rigid transverse frame elements 22. All of this frame mechanism is formed of heavy duty stock and rugged in construction to enable such to withstand the stresses imparted to the ap paratus during this operation.

To enable the plate insertion unit 36 to withdraw readily from zone 16 on the return stroke, rather than being subjected to the camming stresses, the apparatus releases the camming function on the return stroke. Specifically, referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, camming surface 110a is actually a thin wear member attached to a carrying body 120 which is suspended on studs 121 extending vertically through elements 126. Compression springs 123 allow elements 120 and 110a to move vertically. Cam bar 122 is shiftable longitudinally to activate or release the camming surfaces 110a and 1l0b. Bar 122 has a series of spaced upwardly protruding portions 124, with tapered edges, on its upper surface. Further, the lower portion of the plurality of spaced depending mounts 112a has wear plates 126 with downwardly protruding portions 128, with tapered edges, engageable with the upwardly protruding portions 124. Bar 122 can be longitudinally shifted by fluid cylinder 130 (FIG. 3) mounted to the framework and having its piston rod connected through bracket mechanism 132 to bar 122. This longitudinal shifting, when to the right (as the unit is depicted in FIG. 7) placed protrusions 124 and 128 into surface engagement with each other for activation of the camming function, or, with shifting to the left, places the recesses adjacent protrusions 124 into engagement with protrusions 128, and the recesses adjacent protrusions 128 into engagement with protrusions 124, for release of the camming function.

When connector plates C are advanced into panels P during the operation of the apparatus, it has been found to be desirable to have the connector .plates preceded by an adjacent broach mechanism of a cross sectional configuration and a thickness basically like those of the connector plates. Specifically, referring to FIGS. 11-13, broach 130 having a generally flat body 132, preferably with a thickened reinforced central portion 132', a pair of depending flanges 134 on the outer edges thereof corresponding generally in size and dimensions to the flanges on plates C. The forward lateral edges of the broach adjacent flanges 134 are divergently tapered rearwardly and provided with cutting teeth 136. One of these broaches 130 is employed ahead of each of the plates to be inserted, here shown to be two in number. Each broach member is inserted between the clamping members immediately ahead of the elongated connector plates to be inserted into panels P. Preferably, a special notch is provided in the clamping members, to form an abutment surface at the rear edge 132a of the central portion of the body of each broach. These broach members are inserted by hand between clamping elements 64a and-a and 64b and 70b respectively immediately adjacent yoke 38.

Also preferably positioned adjacent the discharge end of zone 16 is a transverse plate insertion mechanism. Specifically, it is sometimes desirable to insert not only the elongated plates in the direction of the longest dimension of the panels, but also to reinforce the structural unit formed by inserting one or more a short plates transversely to the dimension of the main connector plates. This may be achieved by mounting a short cylinder 150 in vertical orientation adjacent the upper discharge end of zone 16, such cylinder having a chuck 152, such as a magnetic chuck, for supporting and retaining a short vertically oriented connector plate C' (FIGS. 3, 9 and 10) to be inserted. Extension of the piston rod of cylinder 150 downwardly thus shifts chuck 152 and connector plate C downwardly to cause flange plate C to be forced vertically into panels P to rigidify the structural unit just formed. This operation occurs after the insertion of the main plates C into the panels.

Although the operation of this apparatus will be understood from a study of the disclosure materials already explained, a brief sequence of the steps will be set forth to assure that the explanation is absolutely clear. Assuming that the apparatus is empty and at rest, cylinder 30 will be retracted such that insertion unit 36 will be positioned in zone 14. To load panels P into zone 16, gate 100 is opened to the phantom line position illustrated in FIG. 8, and a pair of panels are inserted by pushingthem along rollers 110, adjacent opposite sides of upwardly extending members 112 and downwardly depending members 112a, i.e. immediately adjacent and within retention plates and 94. At this time, cylinders 96 are retracted to allow maximum space in this area. When panels P are inserted, gate is closed and locking pin 104 is inserted. Cylinders 96 are then released to allow springs 98 to shift retention plate 94 and hence the panel P immediately adjacent thereto toward the other panel and plate, so that the space in between the panels is less than the width of insertion member 36. The elongated connector plates C are then inserted between their respective clamp members 64a and 70a and 64b and 70b respectively, these being in the retracted, open condition in zone 14 as illustrated in FIG. 6. These plates have their rear ends in abuttment with stops 76a and 76b. The broach members 130 are also placed between these clamping elements immediately ahead of plates C, and oriented in like arrangement therewith.

The cam bar shifting cylinder 130 has been activated to shift cam bar 122 to the lowest position illustrated in FIG. 7. Cylinder 30 is then activated to cause its piston rod 50 to push ram plate 60 and all portions of insertion unit 36 from zone 14 progressively into zone 16. As the forward end of unit 36 is advanced, it is supported by rollers 70, with rollers 78a and 78!; allowing the clamp members to be positioned adjacent each other astraddle the breach members and the elongated plates. As the nose of unit 36 enters zone 16, camming surfaces 1 a and 1 10b force the forward portions of the clamping members toward each other into tightly gripping relationship on the broaches and the plates, with gripping members 80a and 80b biting into the plates. The insertion means also gradually pushes retention plate 94 outwardly against the bias of springs 98 by pressure on the adjacent panel P, sufficiently to allow the insertion means 36 to pass therebetween, thereby spacing panels P exactly the desired distance apart. The edges of the broaches begin cutting into the panels to a depth of a fraction of the panel thickness, followed closely thereafter by the leading edges of plates C which are thus forced into the wood. As progressive portions of insertion unit 36 enter zone 16, camming surfaces 110a and 110b progressively force the clamping mechanism into a tight relationship along the length thereof to assure that the plates do not slip backward in the clamping elements as the stresses become greater due to the resistance of the greater length of plates being forced into the greater length of panels. When the full length of plates C is inserted in panels P, broaches 130 will be positioned beyond the far ends of panels P. When these plates are completely inserted in the panels, cylinders 96 retract member 94 to release the structural assembly formed, cylinder 130 is activated to shift the cam bar longitudinally for release of vertical camming surfaces 110a and 1101'). With this release, broaches 130 can be manually removed from between the clamping bars for subsequent re-insertion after clamp bar retraction. At this point, if it is desired to' insert a vertically oriented plate C', cylinder 150 is activated to forceably lower a plate previously inserted on the chuck. With retraction of this cylinder 150, the

' entire plate insertion unit is retracted by activating cylinder 30. When the cylinder returns to its initial retracted position, cylinder I30 again activates the camming mechanism to prepare it for the next stroke. Suitable limit switches control the mechanism to govern the stroke lengths during forward and return strokes, and to activate cylinder 130, for example. Gate 100 is opened and the completed structural unit comprising the two panels P interconnected by plates C and preferably C is removed from zone 16. If it is desired to put another transverse plate C, as in the rear end of of the apparatus depicted as illustrative of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for making structural building units from a pair of spaced panels and interconnecting elongated plates comprising: supportive frame means; panel alignment means on said frame means, including outer,

panel retention means, and arranged to receive a pair of panels in spaced, generally parallel relationship, plate insertion means shiftable between a first position aligned with said space and a second position within said space; power means operably connected with said plate insertion means to shift such between said first and second positions; said plate insertion means having elongated clamping components shiftable simultaneously between said first and second positions; camming means operable relative to said plate insertion means, arranged 'to" shift said clamping components and thereby condition said plate insertion means from a plate receiving condition to'a plate clamping condition with shiftingof said plate insertion means from said first position to said second position.

2. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said outer, panel retention means includes opposing members and biasing means operative to bias said opposing members toward eachother; and wherein said plate insertion means includes spacer means to shift the panels and said opposing members apart against said biasing means, to a desired spacing.

3. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said camming means is shiftable between camming condition and release condition relative to said clamping components. I

4. The apparatus inclaim 1 wherein said camming means functions to shift progressive portions of said clamping components into plate clamping condition as said plate insertion means is shifted into said space. "'5. The apparatus in claim -1 includingpanel stop means to prevent longitudinal movement thereof with plate insertion.

6. The apparatus in claim 6 wherein said panel stop means forms part of a release gate means shiftable.

between closed and open condition.

7. The apparatus in claim 1 including broach means having a cross sectional configuration correlative with that of the plates to be inserted and removably clampable by said clamping components.

8. The apparatus in claim 1 including transverse plate retention and insertion means shiftable toward said space in a direction transverse to the direction of shift of said clamping components.

9. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said plate insertion means has freedom to move within said space in a 

1. Apparatus for making structural building units from a pair of spaced panels and interconnecting elongated plates comprising: supportive frame means; panel alignment means on said frame means, including outer, panel retention means, and arranged to receive a pair of panels in spaced, generally parallel relationship, plate insertion means shiftable between a first position aligned with said space and a second position within said space; power means operably connected with said plate insertion means to shift such between said first and second positions; said plate insertion means having elongated clamping components shiftable simultaneously between said first and second positions; camming means operable relative to said plate insertion means, arranged to shift said clamping components and thereby condition said plate insertion means from a plate receiving condition to a plate clamping condition with shifting of said plate insertion means from said first position to said second position.
 1. Apparatus for making structural building units from a pair of spaced panels and interconnecting elongated plates comprising: supportive frame means; panel alignment means on said frame means, including outer, panel retention means, and arranged to receive a pair of panels in spaced, generally parallel relationship, plate insertion means shiftable between a first position aligned with said space and a second position within said space; power means operably connected with said plate insertion means to shift such between said first and second positions; said plate insertion means having elongated clamping components shiftable simultaneously between said first and second positions; camming means operable relative to said plate insertion means, arranged to shift said clamping components and thereby condition said plate insertion means from a plate receiving condition to a plate clamping condition with shifting of said plate insertion means from said first position to said second position.
 2. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said outer, panel retention means includes opposing members and biasing means operative to bias said opposing members toward each other; and wherein said plate insertion means includes spacer means to shift the panels and said opposing members apart against said biasing means, to a desired spacing.
 3. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said camming means is shiftable between camming condition and release condition relative to said clamping components.
 4. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said camming means functions to shift progressive portions of said clamping components into plate clamping condition as said plate insertion means is shifted into said space.
 5. The apparatus in claim 1 including panel stop means to prevent longitudinal movement thereof with plate insertion.
 6. The apparatus in claim 6 wherein said panel stop means forms part of a release gate means shiftable between closed and open condition.
 7. The apparatus in claim 1 including broach means having a cross sectional configuration correlative with that of the plates to be inserted and removably clampable by said clamping components.
 8. The apparatus in claim 1 including transverse plate retention and insertion means shiftable toward said space in a direction transverse to the direction of shift of said clamping components.
 9. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said plate insertion means has freedom to move within said space in a dimension transverse to the direction of its shift between said first and second positions, allowing said camming means to apply balanced bias to said clamping components. 